When booking a flight for a recent business trip, I realized I would be about 90 minutes away from where a college friend and his family live. We had not seen each other for 20 years. When I called him and asked if he’d like me to come for a visit, I was greeted with an enthusiastic affirmation – nice!
As I drove to their house after my meeting, I reminisced about how we met and it felt both long ago and very present. At age 59, I can (occasionally) still remember how I felt and thought at 18: hopeful, anxious, excited, hurried. Now, I feel more appreciative and nostalgic. Real friends, the lifelong types, bring out the best in us. It feels easy to be with them and ok to be you – no need to put on appearances.
So, when I pulled into their driveway and saw my friend waiting for me, I was back at college: us laughing hard and crying on each other’s shoulders, listening, encouraging, just being good friends to each other.
Over the next 36 hours or so, we caught up, shared stories and got to know what was new with each other. What I found most interesting was how immediate our familiar comfort was – I was not as tempted to check my email or pick up my phone. We did not have phones in college. Email didn’t exist. So, we fell, very naturally, into the pattern of connection that had been ours: talking, really being present.
As I drove back to the airport and pondered the experience, I vowed to take the time to reconnect with friends and to be more intentional about being present when doing so. Taking that time, I believe, makes me a better co-worker, mom, wife and person.
– Becky Sharpe, CEO
